The government is against the establishment of a single building authority for all of Prague

Prague - Ministers in the Chamber will not support the initiative of ČSSD MP Petr Dolínek to establish a single building authority for the entire city of Prague. According to the government, the proposal is not systemic and is not in accordance with the upcoming new building law. Moreover, under the proposal, one authority would decide on both levels of territorial proceedings, including appeals against them. "It is not entirely appropriate for the one who issues the opinion to review it," said Justice Minister Jan Kněžínek (for ANO) at today's press conference after the cabinet meeting.

In the capital city, 22 building authorities currently make decisions about construction, which operate in the municipal district councils. Dolínek argues that the proposed change would accelerate decision-making in territorial proceedings. According to him, it would also prevent suspicions that the officials of the building authorities at the municipal councils are not independent in their decisions and may be subject to political influence.

The planned government proposal for a new building law is expected to shorten the permitting process for construction from the current average of 5.4 years to one year, according to the Ministry for Regional Development. Territorial proceedings, building proceedings, and environmental impact assessments would merge into a single permitting procedure. The factual intention presupposes a complete reform of building authorities and the introduction of so-called tacit consent.

The new building law, which has also been criticized, is expected to take effect in 2021. Dolínek also proposes the same effective date for his amendment.